This week, we had the opportunity to catch up with Wyatt Ross, a 2015 Scholarship Fund winner who graduated from Edgewood High School in Trenton, Ohio. Wyatt is a first year student at the University of Cincinnati, and is excited to share his experiences in college thus far and give insight about how Scholarship Fund winners stay active both in their college communities as well as the Cincinnati community. Keep an eye out for Wyatt at this year’s Opening Day parade on the AMF float!
What is your college and major at the University of Cincinnati?
I am in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and my major is Architectural Engineering.
What kind of student organizations or activities are you involved in at UC or in the Cincinnati community?
I am a Young Life leader at Finneytown High School now with Cincinnati Young Life. I’m involved with UC Hall Government and am a floor president. I participate in the UC Mountaineering Club, UC Sustainability, and I’ve participated in several volunteer events this semester like Clean Up Cincy, Bearcat Recycling, Community Blood Drives, and a few others. I occasionally go to my college tribunal meetings, but I don’t know if I’d say I’m very involved with that.
What has been the most difficult aspect of transitioning from high school to college?
The most difficult part about transitioning from high school to college has been the work load. I think I’ve always had fairly good time management skills, and in high school I was able to plan ahead in ways that allowed me to do almost everything I wanted to do. That is not the case in college. The work load from school, trying to work, and being involved with the organizations I’m involved with in college is much more taxing than all those things are in high school. I find I have to make more sacrifices than I did in high school in order to do the things on the top of my priority list well.
What has been the most fun or exciting aspect of transitioning from high school to college?
Definitely the large communities I find myself a part of. It’s been a very rich year for making friends and getting to know a lot of people from different walks of life. That’s something I enjoy and that has definitely been the most exciting and fun part thus far.
What career options are you considering with your degree?
I made a switch this year from Biomedical Engineering to Architectural Engineering. I mainly did this because I’ve discovered I have a deep passion for our planet and the environment. I want to use my Architectural Engineering degree to pursue a career in sustainable development, creating sustainable homes and commercial buildings that don’t harm the environment. Eventually I’d like to have my own company doing these things.
How has the AMF Scholarship Fund assisted you, or how do you see it assisting you, financially throughout college?
The AMF Scholarship Fund has definitely brought peace of mind when I’m planning out my financial future. The scholarship has allowed me to think less about how I’m going to pay for school and focus more on my schooling itself. It’s been a huge relief and blessing.
Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for students entering college next fall?
For students entering next fall, I would just say to work hard. Get involved, try new things, but never lose sight of your goals, and make sure you’re making the most of school.
Interested in applying for this year’s Scholarship Fund? Click here to download an application and review our eligibility requirements! Seven $20,000 scholarships will be awarded this spring to senior students in the Tri-State area that are pursuing higher education!
Mallory Condron
Events Intern